So does anyone know what is going on inside Albania now? Europe's only muslim nation? It was all over the news during the Balkan Breakdown as a sanctuary for anti-Serb militants. The great Enver Hoxha kept religion out of mainstream society, how about now? Are they close to being an EU candidate?

So does anyone know what is going on inside Albania now? Europe's only muslim nation? It was all over the news during the Balkan Breakdown as a sanctuary for anti-Serb militants. The great Enver Hoxha kept religion out of mainstream society, how about now? Are they close to being an EU candidate?
Albania is on for EU membership , nothing surer same for Bosnia as well as Serbia . Yugoslavia was broken up and attacked simply because it was the last vestige of Socialism on the European continent . The Kosovo crisis and the previous Bosnian crisis were used as covers for NATO action against Yugoslavia . The Balkan region at present is undergoing freemarket adjustment , and when there economies are developed for easy EU opeartion and exploitation , finance will pour in to bring the economic standard to West European levels . For an example of this EU policy refer to Irelands EU adjustment and EU membership . What remains a better question is why Turkey is being forestalled EU membership ? Answer , the Turks unlike Alabnians are not white , the fact of religion means nothing in a almost athiest EU .

Oh look what we have here!!,.two resident dickheads trying to pick on poor old Albania now!!! :D

Oh look what we have here!!,.two resident dickheads trying to pick on poor old Albania now!!! :D
I'm curious about what is happening with the country since the late 90's.

Albania is on for EU membership , nothing surer same for Bosnia as well as Serbia . Yugoslavia was broken up and attacked simply because it was the last vestige of Socialism on the European continent . The Kosovo crisis and the previous Bosnian crisis were used as covers for NATO action against Yugoslavia . The Balkan region at present is undergoing freemarket adjustment , and when there economies are developed for easy EU opeartion and exploitation , finance will pour in to bring the economic standard to West European levels . For an example of this EU policy refer to Irelands EU adjustment and EU membership . What remains a better question is why Turkey is being forestalled EU membership ? Answer , the Turks unlike Alabnians are not white , the fact of religion means nothing in a almost athiest EU .
I was wondering if they were on the outs with their neighbors, the EU, etc. It's a prime location for tourism but I suspect they have alot of infrastructure to develop before it makes any destination lists. I recall several years ago hordes of Albanians fleeing the country to Italy. I guess it's further along than I thought as far as complying/qualifying for EU membership. I would LOVE to go there someday.

well its boring out there, no sunni-shite or jewish problems just the usual poverty and jobless problems ,try macedonia next door,

I was wondering if they were on the outs with their neighbors, the EU, etc. It's a prime location for tourism but I suspect they have alot of infrastructure to develop before it makes any destination lists.
Tourism is the last industry that will be developed , the aim of the EU is to get all member states that were once backwaters such as Ireland , Spain and Portugal up to standard . The Balkhan wont take long to develop , they Coummunist system left a 2 world infrastructure behind , that wont take much more than a few billion to up grade .
I recall several years ago hordes of Albanians fleeing the country to Italy.
With the collapse of the Communist economic systems came the predictable influx of those wanting to get out , when it settled down after the 1998 war the Albanians have returned .
I guess it's further along than I thought as far as complying/qualifying for EU membership. I would LOVE to go there someday.
So would I , I would to see Bulgaria .

Bulgaria would be incredible. I'd choose Albania or Bulgaria for a visit over France or Germany anyday.

FROM THE CIA WEBSITE.... they are so helpful.

Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of the global war on terrorism.

Religions: Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%
note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Languages: Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects
Literacy: definition: age 9 and over can read and write
total population: 86.5%
male: 93.3%
female: 79.5% (2003 est.)


Economy - overview:

Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spur economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from abroad of $600-$800 million, mostly from Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. Agriculture, which accounts for about one-quarter of GDP, is held back because of frequent drought and the need to modernize equipment, to clarify property rights, and to consolidate small plots of land. Energy shortages and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment, which make it difficult to attract and sustain foreign investment. The planned construction of a new thermal power plant near Vlore and improved transmission and distribution facilities will help relieve the energy shortages. Also, the government is moving slowly to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. On the positive side: growth was strong in 2003-05 and inflation is not a problem.


like i said... cia... always helpful.

-MT

FROM THE CIA WEBSITE.... they are so helpful.

Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of the global war on terrorism.

Religions: Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%
note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Languages: Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects
Literacy: definition: age 9 and over can read and write
total population: 86.5%
male: 93.3%
female: 79.5% (2003 est.)


Economy - overview:

Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spur economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from abroad of $600-$800 million, mostly from Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. Agriculture, which accounts for about one-quarter of GDP, is held back because of frequent drought and the need to modernize equipment, to clarify property rights, and to consolidate small plots of land. Energy shortages and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment, which make it difficult to attract and sustain foreign investment. The planned construction of a new thermal power plant near Vlore and improved transmission and distribution facilities will help relieve the energy shortages. Also, the government is moving slowly to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. On the positive side: growth was strong in 2003-05 and inflation is not a problem.


like i said... cia... always helpful.

-MT
AWESOME! Thanx for the info! Even if it is from the US Secret Police. I wanted to know about language and religion breakdowns too. Great site! I am dismayed they are a "strong supporter on the war on terror." They had a Maoist government unlike the rest of Eastern Europe in the Soviet days. A small US party embraced Albanian Communism. I met them in Chicago. Their press was called The Worker or something like that. Really fascinating stuff. Thanx for the post! It filled in alot of blanks.

serbians have a hard time even obtaining a visa to come into the schengen states (western europe, basically)........i dont know about albania, but i doubt they will be coming into the EU anytime soon.

serbians have a hard time even obtaining a visa to come into the schengen states (western europe, basically)........i dont know about albania, but i doubt they will be coming into the EU anytime soon.
Yeah, the Serbs are still a pariah, unjustly imo. Elements of the Serbian population committed atrocities, not all Serbs. I wonder if the muslim fundies that hate the US so much were pleased we fought the Serbs after the massacres of muslims?

i have a friend that lives in serbia, and he couldnt get a 2 day visa to come and play a music festival with his band. its a shame....considering anyone can cross the serbian border for pretty much any reason....even with no visa, the border guards dont give much trouble.

i am really surprised by this.